Canon City News

Hometown Proud: Will Colon recently honored for his work to promote tourism in area

By Carie Canterbury

The Daily Record

Posted:
05/10/2016 08:27:53 AM MDT

Cañon City resident and business owner Will Colon, recently honored by Colorado Tourism Director Cathy Ritter, poses for a photo Thursday at the Cañon City Whitewater Park. (Carie Canterbury/ Daily Record)

Fremont County is well loved for its exciting whitewater rafting and gold medal fishing and everything else associated with the mighty Arkansas River that runs right through town.

But it's because of people like fourth-generation Cañon City native Will Colon, who works year around to promote the region's rich activities through tourism, that Fremont County can roll out the welcome mat to visitors from across the state, the country and even the world.

Colon was one of 11 frontline tourism workers from across the state recognized as an "Outstanding Tourism Worker" by the Colorado Tourism Office on May 2 at the Colorado State Capitol during a rally celebrating the value of tourism. He also was honored during the CTO Roadshow in Colorado Springs the same day.

While Colon said he was honored to receive the distinguished award, he said there are many devoted and hard-working people in Fremont County who equally share in the effort.

"It's really not just me," he said. "There are so many people who put in effort and energy; I just happen to be the person who is being thanked for it."

Colon, 46, said he chooses to invest his time, resources and skills into the community's tourism efforts because Cañon City is his home.

"This is our home, and if everybody did just a little bit, we can really make Cañon City more unique and special than it already is," he said.

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After graduating from Cañon City High School in 1987, Colon attended Colorado State University, where he earned a degree in horticulture. He then lived and worked in Hawaii before moving back to the main land, where he worked as a commercial raft guide year-around in West Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and, of course, the Arkansas River, where he grew up rafting with his dad, Mannie Colon.

In 1996, he started working with Dennis Wied at Raft Masters, and in 2005, he became a partner in the business. Colon opened Colorado Jeep Tours in 2013.

"I have a real desire to try to turn Cañon City into more of a destination resort, rather than just a pass-through town," Colon said. "My goal has always been to try to get people to stay here overnight or for two or three days. I think the more activities we have here the better."

That's one of the reasons he spearheaded the fundraising and creation of the Whitewater Kayak Park nestled between Veterans and Centennial parks. The park, built at a cost of about $450,000, also includes a feature near Black Bridge.

The annual Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival since 2010 helps to fund improvements on the river. The Whitewater Kayak & Recreation Park board of directors also includes Larry Oddo, Beth Katchmar and Warren Hart.

"Our mission is to beautify the river corridor and bring recreation to the river corridor through town," Colon said.

Future plans include adding features to promote fish habitat and keeping the corridor beautified for all user groups.

Colon said it's important that all citizens embrace tourism, regardless of what field they work or where they are employed.

"We all are dependant on tourism, and we all need to understand that the state spends a tremendous amount of money to get people here," he said.

For every dollar the state invests into tourism, the community gets a return of about $361, he said.

"You take tourism away, and we're in trouble," he said. "I think it's important that everyone understands that and maybe alters their thinking. When we have visitors come in and they purchase a tank of gas and a bag of chips, the taxes on that money go to our community — we get to better our streets and stuff with our visitors' money, not our money — that's why I think tourism is so important."

Colon collaborates with other local tourism businesses, including the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Royal Gorge Route Railroad and the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey to promote tourism in the Royal Gorge Region. He credits his longtime girlfriend, Tara Wefing, for keeping him organized so he can be involved in community promotion and also help with the family ranch, Colon Orchards, when needed.

Colon is part of the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival Committee, and he has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce. He was named the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2011.

"My hope from all of this is other Coloradans will see this coverage and want to come to Cañon City," he said. "Any positive recognition that we can get here in Cañon City is very good for tourism."

Research conducted for the Colorado Tourism Office by Dean Runyon Associates reports the latest figures on the economic benefit of tourism to Fremont County includes $59.7 million in travel spending; $13.6 million in business earnings and wages; 756 tourism-related jobs; $1.4 million in local taxes; and $1.7 million in state taxes.

In 2014, Colorado set all-time records welcoming 71.3 million visitors to the state who spent $18.6 billion and generated $1.1 billion in tax revenue.

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